The FDA has called the use of electronic cigarettes an “epidemic.” According to the National Youth Tobacco Study, vaping impacted 2.1 million students in 2017. Last year, that number rose to 3.6 million.
Although the sale of vaping supplies to minors is banned in the U.S., teens have no trouble purchasing them. The attractiveness of the flavors, like candy, ice cream or fruit, combined with the perception that they are safer than cigarettes, has resulted in a dramatic increase in teen use.
It’s an epidemic. And it is not “safe.”
The head of the FDA said, “The disturbing and accelerating trajectory of use we’re seeing in youth, and the resulting path to addiction, must end.” The FDA has put pressure on e-cigarette makers to reduce underage use of their products. But their attempts to do so have not been effective.
“Safer” is not safe